A DNC spokesman is calling Rep. Pete Hoekstra's efforts to raise campaign cash in the wake of the Christmas Day terrorism attempt 'shameful'

(CNN) - A Democratic National Committee spokesman is calling Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra's efforts to raise campaign cash in the wake of the Christmas Day terrorism attempt "shameful."

"It was shameful that Republicans like Mr. Hoekstra would attempt to play politics with our national security at all, but raising money off it is beyond the pale," DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement. "Republicans are playing politics with issues of national security and terrorism, and that they would use this incident as an opportunity to fan partisan flames and raise money for political campaigns tells you all you need to know about how far the Republican party has fallen and how out of step with the American people they have become."

Earlier in the day, Hoekstra, a Republican running for governor in Michigan, sent a fundraising letter denouncing the "weak-kneed liberals['s]" response to the botched terrorism attempt.

"The system didn't 'work' here. Far from it! It is insulting that The Obama administration would make such a claim, but then again, these are the same weak-kneed liberals who have recently tried to bring Guantanamo Bay terrorists right here to Michigan!" the letter, first reported by the Grand Rapids Press, reads. "My promise to you, as your governor, my first duty and most solemn responsibility is to keep Michigan safe!"

Hoekstra is the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee. A spokesman for his gubernatorial bid says the campaign stands by the letter.

soundoff(164 Responses)

Obama's apparent sympathy for the Jidhadists are put this country in mortal danger. But if the Dems can extort some cash from someone thru Obama's treasonous actions they will.

December 29, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |

Ethan

It's not only shameful, it is totally disgusting and abhorrent. And this man wants to RUN A STATE?!?! He is running for Governor in Michigan. People have to get out there against this guy, I mean c'mon. This terrorist from Nigeria didn't want to attack Democrats or Republicans, he tried to kill innocent civilians regardless of politics. How can anyone turn that into a political statement much less a FUNDRAISER?!

Besides, if any Democrat did the same, there would be HELL TO PAY. It would be all over the news and you'd have Republicans up there screaming bloody murder.

But it is apparently acceptable in today's Republican Party to use unspeakable acts of terrorism to help THEMSELVES but not the country. Unreal. Disgusting.

December 29, 2009 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |

AEK

Of course those Guantanamo Bay terrorists affiliated with this very troubled Nigerian man were released by the Bush administration. Republican's are no position to throw stones when it comes to our security from terrorists lest they forget that it was "under their watch" that the worst terrorist attack in American occurred. Easy to forget when your only motivation in politics is to say anything and do anything to get elected.

December 29, 2009 05:18 pm at 5:18 pm |

valwayne

I wonder if the DNC agrees with Obama's head of homeland security that "The System Worked". Given what happened that was the most incompetent inept statment I've ever seen out of a Government official.

December 29, 2009 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

really?

That was a pretty quick move considering the botched terror plan had just taken place. I'm beginning to think that republicans have this sort of stuff already queued up and are just waiting for an event to take place.

December 29, 2009 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

Indy

A fund raising letter like this should get you an automatic ticket to jail. As always the Republicans are 100% "Money First, Country Last". This is exactly what the terrorists want to see, and the Republicans are giving 100% of what terrorists want. Instead of standing united with the President and all Americans against terrorism the Republicans have chose to be on the terrorist side by playing with Americans lives and giving in to money and power over safety.The Republicans rely on ignorance and fear and that is the only way they win over the weak minded. Shameful is a very nice word compared to this discusting betrayal of acting like the terrorists expect you to act. Puke !!!!!!!!!!!

December 29, 2009 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

phillip Marlowe

Until we have bags searched by dog sniffing dogs, this is always a possibility, and instead of profiling we will continuing shaking down grandpa with the Pearl Harbor survivor hat on thru security and it is nothing but a dog and pony show gone bad. All because of a war we never should have engaged in outside of chasing down Osama Bin Lade n at the outset.

December 29, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

jfs Memhis, Tn

This type of politics only supports the misconceptions in terrorist countries that Americans do not stand together as a common country; and , we let power, politics, and money drive our democracy. This gentleman, regardless of what party he is from, shames our Country and our common cause to defeat extremists. The GOP has really sunk beyond believe. He needs to support our government regardless what party is in power. Can this man step away from his norrow mindedness long enough to see what the rest of the world infers from such shinnanigans ?

December 29, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

Jean 2

This kind of thing should make any American citizen sick.

When does the safety of our nation become the goal instead of the next election?

December 29, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

dcc

How short are the memories of all our elected politicians. Upon whose watch did 9/11 happen? We are not fooled. Republican or Democrat, all are the same. Whatever happens it's ALWAYS the other party's fault. Our country is drowning in a sea of lost confidence in our public officials who seem hell-bent on bankrupting our entire system. There is a reason Congress has lower polls than any recent unpopular President. When the House health care bill passed with a single Republican vote supporting it, it took unbelievable gall for Nancy Pelosi to claim the bill had bi-partisan support. Who do these clowns think we are?

December 29, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

welch6980

Apparently Dems get pretty pissed off when Conservatives beat them to the money trough.

December 29, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

LLM from MD

The republicans should be sick of themselves....we need to band together to fight terrorism...they are using this against us...I find it appalling for the party of NO HELP to jump on every and anything to gain seats and the presidency–TO DO WHAT EXACTLY!!! You were voted out and now your pathetic base wants u back–FOR WHAT!! You have not said what you will do just what you don't like, dissecting every word from our PRESIDENT....U MAKE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH!

December 29, 2009 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

phillip Marlowe

The system did work, it failed as it is designed to.

December 29, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

David Ottson

Just another reason that I will never vote for a republican candidate !
They have no shame !

December 29, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

T'SAH from Virginia

The Dems would complain that incidences like this should not be taken advantage of 'politically' and the RepubliCAN'Ts are going to say that the Dems also took advantage of situations like this 'politically'.... BUT, the PEOPLE are saying that BOTH SIDES should STOP and get together to keep ALL of Americans SAFE.................Case and POINT!!!

December 29, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Matt

Republican memories are short. 9/11/2001 GWB was President – epic fail. So much for Republicans keeping us safe.

December 29, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Ron in Asheville, NC

Hmmm. Conservatives spreading paranoia in order to cash in . . .

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

December 29, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Jeffrey Campbell

What an absolute dirtbag.
Why can't republicans police their own when they say things that are beyond the pale, like this?
Are they afraid of credibility and integrity?

December 29, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

ProudLib

Trying to compare one pathetic goof with a burned crotch on Obama's watch to 9/11 under Bush's watch, and having a real disconnect with Hoekstra's faux outrage.

December 29, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

billy123

What do you expect from the GOP?

The GOP only knows how to play dirty and they are very good at it.

December 29, 2009 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

ConsiderThis-FL

I'd love to hear his plan/strategy for protecting Michigan! Idiot! He can't protect his own home. Just telling simple minded people what he thinks they want to hear. Governor? I say, Palin-esq.

December 29, 2009 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

ThinkAgain

Bush & Company ignored the August 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Briefing memo entitled, "Al Qaeda Determined to Attack the U.S. Using Airplanes."

After 9/11, if anyone had done anything remotely as disgusting and opportunistic as Hoekstra's fund-raising letter, the GOP would have accused them of aiding and abetting the terrorists and worse!

But the GOP, now out of power (and rightly so), believes that trying to capitalize on this thwarted attack is OK – because they will do ANYTHING to try to make our president and our country fail.

GOP = Party Before Country (heck, Party Before EVERYTHING)

December 29, 2009 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Mike in MN

Please, Obama has and continues to use national security as a political issue. Obama can't stop stating that we were really less safe under Bush and now that he is president we will really be more safe because the Obama policies don't make muslim terrorists hate us.
So who feels safer now after the Ft. Hood masacre and the failed airliner bombing? Anyone believe muslim terrorist love us now instead of hate us?
Obama and the Democrats used national security as a political issue during the 2008 campaign. Obama's failure to make us more safe than he said we were under Bush will be used as a political issue by Republicans in 2010 and 2012. What is the difference? Every terrorist attack will be evidence that Obama is not keeping us safer.

December 29, 2009 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

obama the liar

campaign promise by obama...'i do not take money from lobbyist and none will work for me' LIAR-IN-CHIEF

December 29, 2009 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

Nurse Lisa

the best way to keep Michigan safe is if he quits his campaign and if FOX NEWS gets banned from the public airwaves and subscription services.